End Point Assessment Plan Aerospace Manufacturing Electrical/Mechanical and Systems … · 2015-10-21 · The Aerospace Manufacturing Electrical/Mechanical and Systems Fitter assessment
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B3.1 The Employer 13 B3.2 An Independent Assessor from the relevant Professional Engineering Institution 14 B3.3 Final Sign Off – Employer Endorsement 14
B4.1 General note on future Governance and Quality Assurance arrangements 14 B4.2 PEI Quality Assurance 15
SECTION C – Grading 16
C1 How will grading be applied? 16
SECTION D – Implementation 17-19 D1 Milestone Planner 17 D2 Communications strategy for the Sector 18 D3 Costs of End Point Assessment 18 D4 Supporting Information 19
Annex 8 Grading Exemption Note 22 Note. Apart from Annex 4, 5 and 8 the other Annexes are currently in development. Once complete this Assessment Plan will be re issued along with supporting
Annexes including URL links and made available to all relevant apprentices and stakeholders. For interim information, advice and guidance relating to the
documentation in development and access to Annexes 5 and 8 please contact [email protected] quoting Trailblazer Assessment Plan documentation.
Foreword The Aerospace Manufacturing Electrical/Mechanical and Systems Fitter assessment plan is delivered within the three phases of the Apprenticeship standard, these being the:
Foundation Phase
Development Phase
End Point Assessment & Employer Endorsement Phase
Taken together the assessment approach we detail here is fundamentally different and represents a significant improvement on current assessment systems, namely:
1) We have introduced a formal gate review at the conclusion of the foundation stage. Apprentices will not progress beyond this without successful completion of this stage.
2) We have introduced a viva and formal overall assessment of competence as part of the end point assessment for the Aerospace Manufacturing Sector. They will need to demonstrate
skills, knowledge and behaviours developed across the Apprenticeship.
3) We have introduced an alignment of competence to ‘Engineering Technician’ requirements - the recognised generic professional industry standard for Engineering Technicians. This is
totally new and is supported by all the relevant Professional Engineering Institutions. This provides an opportunity to establish future development activity for apprentices, linked to
continued professional development.
4) We are also taking a radically different approach with Awarding Organisations to develop new Trailblazer qualifications, including a consistent approach to grading and assessment.
Due to the safety critical and complex nature of engineering training much of the assessment needs to be carried out ‘on a continuous basis’ to ensure that the skills, knowledge and
behaviours that relate to company processes and procedures are fully imbedded in the apprentice’s skill set. Because of the safety critical nature of the work roles and the risks to both the
apprentice and the business any deficiencies or gaps in skills, knowledge and behaviours must be identified early and corrected rather than being allowed to proliferate, only then to be
picked up at the end of training when it is too late.
The assessment model, including end point, makes the Standard accessible and appropriate for employers, including SMEs. The mandatory requirements have been carefully selected to
ensure that skills, knowledge and behaviours can be transferred across the Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Sector. (Aerospace Manufacturing Sector Trailblazer Group, April
Section A: Summary of End Point Assessment A1 Diagram 1: End Point Assessment for an Aerospace Manufacturing Electrical/Mechanical and Systems Fitter
Achievement of Occupational Competence
Qualification as defined in the
Standard
Achievement of Technical
Knowledge Qualification as defined in the
Standard
Employer Final Sign off at Pass/Fail
&
Submission for Apprenticeship
completion certificate
Professional Engineering
Institution confirm competence against
EngTech requirements
Technical Competence
Validation Interview (Viva)
(Annex 1 & Annex 2)
Viva verification against EngTech
requirements using agreed template
NB * = This form may be completed online
depending on the relevant PEI processes
and procedure.
Independent assessment and verification through employer approved Awarding Organisations regulated by Ofqual. These qualifications are achieved during the On Programme Phase of the Apprenticeship (see diagram A2 on the next page):
a) Technical Knowledge based assignments and including
externally set and marked exams. A grade of pass, merit or
distinction will be applied to the knowledge qualifications of
the Apprenticeship
b) Competency (Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours) will be
assessed in the workplace and externally verified using a
variety of methods including observation of performance and
company job/work records. Apprentices will be assessed on a
continuous basis with the final pieces of performance evidence
accumulated typically during the last six months. On
completion a binary grade will be awarded for the competency
qualifications.
Engineering Technician
(EngTech) Performance
Indicators Recording
Form*which has been
completed by the
apprentice (Annex 2)
A portfolio based
Occupational Competence
Validation Interview (Viva)
Document (Annex 1)
In order to apply for their completion certificate an apprentice will need to have: a fully completed Employer Portfolio Based Occupational Competence Viva
Interview document signed by the employer; achieved the competency and a knowledge qualifications at Level 2 and Level 3 as specified on this Standard;
have received confirmation documentation from a Professional Engineering Institution to confirm that they have met Engineering Technician UKSPEC
requirements and have a final sign off from the employer to apply for the Apprenticeship completion certificate.
Engineering Technician Review is an independent assessment of behaviours,
knowledge and generic engineering competencies for EngTech by the relevant
PEI, regulated by the Engineering Council. The PEI will also undertake an
independent verification of the Employer Viva Interview documentation.
Section B: Detailed explanation of the end point assessment
B1 What skills, knowledge and behaviours are being assessed? B1.1 Occupational Competence. Employers across the Aerospace and Aviation sectors have worked collaboratively to produce a suite of Employer
Units of Competence (EUCs). Each EUC sets out in detail the skills, knowledge and behaviours that the apprentice must achieve in order to
demonstrate that they are occupationally competent in the specific job role and employers tailored requirements including areas such as products,
processes, procedures, tools, equipment, materials, documentation and information systems.
This will allow each organisation to develop their own specific and tailored apprentice assessment structure whilst at the same time ensuring that
the overall outcome delivers depth, breadth and stretch to enable progression and/or transferability to other employers. The EUCs will form part of
the Employer Occupational Brief (EOB) and can be sourced from Annex 3.
B1.2 Professional Competence. Employers in partnership with relevant PEIs will also assess the apprentices’ competence against the
internationally recognised professional standard for an Engineering Technician (EngTech). Apprentices will be assessed against the following criteria:
1) Use engineering knowledge and understanding to apply technical and practical skills.
2) Contribute to the design, development, manufacture, construction, commissioning, operation or maintenance of products, equipment,
processes, systems or services.
3) Accept and exercise personal responsibility.
4) Use effective communication and interpersonal skills.
5) Make a personal commitment to an appropriate code of professional conduct, recognising obligations to society, the profession and the
environment.
To support the end point assessment, Employers and PEIs have developed an Engineering Technician Performance Indicators Recording Form (Annex
2). This will form part of the Employer Occupational Brief (EOB) and can be sourced from Annex 3.
Refers to the process of tracking and documenting the skills, knowledge and experience that an individual gains both formally and informally. It's a record of what they experience, learn and then apply. If the apprentice does decide to apply for registration with a relevant Professional Engineering institution at EngTech and/or IEng they must be committed to maintaining and enhancing their competence. They will be required to show evidence that they have taken steps to ensure this, and that they intend to continue to do this in line with the CPD Code for Registrants
What is it for?
The CPD process helps the individual manage their own development on an ongoing basis. It's function is to help them record, review and reflect on
what they learn
The key features of the CPD process
be a documented process
be self-directed: driven by the individual and not the employer
focus on learning from experience, reflective learning and review
help individuals to set development goals and objectives
include both formal and informal learning.
What are the benefits?
It can help individuals to reflect, review and document their learning and to develop and update their professional knowledge and skills. It is also
very useful to:
provides an overview of their professional development to date
reminds them of their achievements and how far they have progressed
directs their career and helps them keep their eye on their career goals
uncovers gaps in their skills, knowledge and behaviours
demonstrates their professional standing to employers and/or clients
B2 How will the “what” be assessed? Typically, this assessment takes place in the final months of the Apprenticeship, using a range of assessment methods:
Portfolio of evidence of occupational competence
Independent assessment and verification of employer developed competence and technical knowledge qualifications
On completion of the EngTech assessment and Viva verification the Professional Engineering Institution will notify the employer and/or their
nominated training provider by letter if the apprentice has been successful or not. If not, the apprentice will be advised of the shortfall in evidence
and given advice and guidance on the type and level of evidence that will be required to meet the required professional standard.
Final Sign Off – Employer Endorsement
If successful, i.e. the employer is in receipt of the letter from the PEI stating that the apprentice is EngTech ready, the employer will undertake the
Final Sign Off / Employer Endorsement stage of the Apprenticeship by:
signing the Occupational Competence Validation Interview (Viva) (Annex 1) document along with the apprentice and the employer
(nominated Training Provider optional)
making an application to the designated body for the Apprenticeship completion certificate
B3) Who will do the assessment?
The end point assessment will be undertaken by a range of parties depending upon the nature of what is being assessed. For final judgements to be
made the following is required:
1) The employer and where applicable in partnership with their designated Training Provider/Assessor will have final judgement on the Occupational Competence of the apprentice. Note: Prior to the end point assessment the employer will already have received confirmation from the relevant Awarding Organisation(s) that the required mandatory vocational qualifications have been achieved, as part of the “on-programme” assessment. This will be recorded on the Occupational Competence Validation Interview (Viva) Annex 1.
2) The Independent Assessor(s) from the relevant Professional Engineering Institution will have final judgement on the Professional
Competence of the apprentice by reviewing, assessing and verifying the evidence and any supporting documentation contained in the
The employer will conduct the Occupational Competence Validation Interview (Viva) (Annex 1) to judge Occupational Competence. The employer is best placed to determine whether an apprentice has the required knowledge, skills and behaviours to fulfil the designated role, a support guide will be produced and available to assist the employer during the interview (Annex 7). The employer will have understanding and expertise in the area in which the apprentice works and will know what questions to ask the apprentice in order to ascertain their level of competency. This will be particularly important due to the health and safety critical nature of the sector. During this Viva the apprentice will need to demonstrate competence of the appropriate knowledge, skills and behaviours to the employer, drawing from real work based tasks accomplished, presenting not only what they have done, but how they have done it and why. The apprentice’s use of a Portfolio of Evidence is important here so that the employer can see tangible evidence. (Occupational Competence Validation Interview (Viva) (Annex 1).
The employer will also review the Professional Competence Performance Indicators Form (Annex 2) in preparation for submission to the relevant PEI for a final independent judgement to be made.
B3.2 Independent Assessor(s) from the relevant Professional Engineering Institution
Independent assessor(s) will validate the initial judgement made by the employer recorded on the EngTech Performance Indicators Form (Annex 2). In terms of making their final independent judgement of Professional Competence this will be based on EngTech requirements as defined in the Engineering Council’s UKSPEC. The independent assessor(s) must be affiliated to the PEI with which the employer initially confirmed to undertake end point assessment. Engineering Technicians Performance Indicators Form (Annex 2) and a process flow of the steps the PEI will complete can be found in Section D4 diagram 3.
Independent assessor(s) from the PEI will also examine the Viva documentation, signed by the employer and used as evidence to judge
Occupational Competence, this enabling a validation of the Viva process and documentation. However, it is the employer who will make the
final judgement of an apprentice’s Occupational Competence.
B3.3 Final Sign Off – Employer Endorsement
If successful, the employer will undertake the Final Sign Off / Employer Endorsement stage of the Apprenticeship by:
signing the Occupational Competence Validation Interview (Viva) (Annex 1) document along with the apprentice and the employer
nominated Training Provider (optional)
making an application to the designated body for the Apprenticeship completion certificate
B4 How will assessments be quality assured? B4.1 General note on future Governance and Quality Assurance arrangements
We are considering employer led approaches for quality assurance and governance, and are working through the options with BIS. At the moment
awarding organisations who wish to deliver against the standard will need to be on the SFA register of assessment organisations.
B4.2 PEI Quality Assurance
All PEIs work to a common set of standards for registration (as set out in UK-SPEC) and are licensed by the Engineering Council to carry out all
registration activity including accreditation/approval of academic programmes; Professional Review and interview of applicants to the register. PEIs
are regularly monitored by Engineering Council, including annual self-assessment and full license reviews are carried out every five years. In addition,
all PEIs have independent, internal review and audit procedures in place. Liaison officers from the Engineering Council are invited to attend all
registration committee meeting to observe process and compliance.
Diagram 2: PEI Quality Assurance Process
All assessment stages marked thus are carried out by
Professionally Registered Engineers who are PEI Trained
Assessors.
Registration linked PEI processes are audited by the
Whilst there is significant emphasis placed on the end point assessment it is important to describe the learner journey an apprentice will undergo to
be ready for end point assessment and employer sign off. The Aerospace Employer Trailblazer group has developed two mandatory phases which the
apprentice must complete, namely the Foundation Phase and the Development Phase.
The Foundation Phase
This is a significant period of off-the-job training in a protected environment at Level 2 covering three key aspects of training, basic engineering skills,
relevant underpinning knowledge and behavioural development. The basic engineering skills include core or ‘mandatory’ requirements, together
with a range of tailored engineering skills units required to meet the specific needs of individual employers. Academic study will underpin skills
development and will form the preparation for achievement of the main academic component. During this time apprentices will develop the
appropriate behaviours to support their learning. This phase will culminate in a gateway assessment to ensure a strong foundation of basic skills and
knowledge has been developed through the achievement of Level 2 Technical Knowledge and Competence Qualifications.
The Foundation Phase gateway assessment is based on the achievement of 3 elements:
The assessment is undertaken at the end of the first year of training and all elements must be achieved for the apprentice to advance onto
the development phase of the apprenticeship.
Foundation Vocational Skills: A brand new vocational skills qualification at Level 2 – Aerospace & Aviation (Foundation Competence)has
been developed to cover the core basic skills identified in this Standard. This has been developed in consultation with employers including
small, medium and large employers. It will have a core and options configuration to cover the basic skills identified and allows for the
variation in the delivery context. It will be delivered off-the-job in controlled circumstances. Foundation Vocational skills achievement is
Technical Knowledge: A technical knowledge qualification at Level 2 has been developed which fully underpins the core skills and knowledge
requirements identified in the Standard. Technical Knowledge achievement being graded Pass, Merit or Distinction.
Behaviours: The behaviours have incorporated into both the skills and underpinning knowledge qualifications and achievement is graded
competent or not yet competent.
A gateway assessment is undertaken on the completion of the two vocational qualifications in order for the apprentice to progress onto the
development phase.
The Development Phase
In this Phase further vocational and academic learning will build upon the basic skills and knowledge acquired from the Foundation Phase and focus
on developing further on-the-job skills capability. The Assessment of achievement is based on 3 elements:
Vocational Skills: A vocational skills qualification at Level 3 to cover the further skills capability identified at Level 3 in the ‘Aerospace
Manufacturing Electrical/Mechanical and Systems Fitter Standard’. Again we have involved a wide range of employers, particularly small
employers in the design and specification process, and have taken advice with regard to both content and assessment.
Technical Knowledge: A complementary Level 3 Technical Knowledge Qualification that underpins the vocational skills requirements
identified above and articulated in the Standard.
Behavioural achievement is graded competent or not yet competent and is linked to the requirements of the Engineering Technician UK-
SPEC produced by the Engineering Council.
Annex 5 – Letters of Endorsement
Letters of endorsement have been submitted by Professional Engineering Institutions and are located here < Insert URL>
Annex 6 – Occupational Architecture
The Employer Trailblazer Group has undertaken an occupational mapping exercise displaying the Apprenticeship Standards produced and to be developed. This exercise is being undertaken across the wider Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering sector and is located here < Insert URL>